Each summer, Cardiff Castle opens its majestic grounds to a host of celebrated artists, offering a truly picturesque backdrop for live music. On Thursday 10th July, the historic venue was alive with the sounds of Manchester’s beloved indie rock band, James, who captivated the audience with their unmistakable flair. The evening was further elevated by support from acclaimed acts Jamie Webster and Shed Seven.
Jamie Webster is having a standout year. His third studio album, 10 For The People, soared to number two in the UK charts in February, and he’s now deep into a packed run of summer shows, including three recent support slots for James. Opening with the defiant Voice of the Voiceless, the Liverpudlian singer-songwriter delivered a high-energy set brimming with fan favourites like We Get By and Going Out. With infectious passion and lyrics that speak to everyday struggles and working-class resilience, Jamie didn’t just perform, he connected.
Fresh off the success of two number one albums last year, Shed Seven are clearly riding high - and their live performance left no doubt about it. Opening with the punchy Let’s Go, the Britpop stalwarts delivered a set that blended the new with the nostalgic. From recent standouts like Talk Of The Town, to timeless anthems such as Going For Gold, which effortlessly transitioned into a well-received cover of Suspicious Minds, every song felt like a victory lap. But it was clear that everybody was waiting for one song in particular: Chasing Rainbows. The moment the opening chords hit, the crowd lit up - proof that some songs never fade, they only grow louder with time.
One of the great things about James is their constant willingness to experiment with their songs. No matter where a track sits in their back catalogue, they find ways to keep it fresh and unique. The latest to receive this treatment is Johnny Yen, a captivating opener that put David Baynton-Power’s drumming front and centre, as if turned up a notch. The momentum continued with the atmospheric Seven, which shifted gracefully into She’s A Star. With Adrian Oxaal’s unmistakable guitar riff leading the way, the latter resonated strongly with the crowd, highlighting both the riff’s magnetic pull and the undeniable strength of frontman Tim Booth’s vocals.
The pace slowed for Way Over Your Head, offering a quiet, reflective moment - its gentle arrangement and lyrical honesty giving the crowd a chance to pause. That stillness dissolved as Leviathan took hold, and with it, Tim made a beeline for the barrier, visibly charged by the fans leaning in, singing every word as the chorus swelled around them. He remained there for Say Something, his vocals sharp and focused, adding an edge to a song that already walks the line between vulnerability and defiance.
Though only two songs in the set were from their number one album, Yummy, they were chosen wisely, with Stay standing out as a highlight. A call to arms for the younger generation to stand their ground for the planet and for themselves, Stay features delicate, expressive guitar work from multi-instrumentalist Saul Davies and highlights the striking blend of Tim and Chloe Alper’s vocals. It was seamlessly followed by the underrated All Good Boys - a track that never quite received the recognition it deserved after being released as a B-side. Written about the unconscious passing on of fears and traumas, it features a stripped-back arrangement of acoustic chords and subtle percussion, allowing its message to land with real force. Quietly powerful on record, it hit even harder live.
Keeping the tempo measured, Attention brought a burst of ecstasy, propelled by Mark Hunter’s trippy synth textures. Although Chloe wasn’t part of the band when the track was originally released, her live vocals have added a fresh dimension to it, intertwining beautifully with Tim’s. Their connection deepened as they held sustained notes while locking eyes, creating an intimate and compelling moment onstage. Closing out the quieter section of the set was Out To Get You, a track that consistently captivates live audiences and has gained new depth through Chloe’s vocal harmonies. It grew into an expansive, improvised outro, where Saul’s passionate violin and Jim Glennie’s steady bass created a vivid impression of mounting urgency, as if the world itself was slowly unravelling.
Packed with feeling, Moving On has become a powerful staple in James’ setlist this year. Accompanied by Ainslie Henderson’s poignant animated video - featuring a character made of yellow wool slowly coming undone - the song offers a tender exploration of grief and the process of letting go. Driven by a deep bassline and swept up in a soaring chorus, the song finds its emotional core in Andy Diagram’s evocative trumpet - a sound that captures the ache of loss and the enduring power of memory and love.
If any band knows how to craft a setlist, it’s James - and they showed that skill once again by following the aching tenderness of Moving On with the stomping Heads. Tense from the first note, the Living In Extraordinary Times track launched with pounding drums and raw, urgent vocals, its politically charged lyrics delivering a pointed commentary on the ongoing unrest in America. The band balanced this intensity perfectly, and its defiant energy gave way to the euphoric uplift of Sit Down, with the crowd erupting the instant Dave’s unmistakable drumbeat began. The reaction was so overwhelming, it visibly took the band by surprise - reaffirming the song’s enduring power and resonance.
The main set built to a hit-packed finale with Sit Down, followed by Tomorrow and Born Of Frustration. The familiar opening chords of Tomorrow ignited one of the night’s most electrifying moments, drawing the crowd into a shared celebration that saw Tim return to the barrier, deepening the sense of connection that had defined the evening as he blurred the line between performer and audience once more. That momentum carried effortlessly into the pulsing rhythm of Born Of Frustration, with fans raising their voices to join Tim in its soaring vocal refrain - a fitting final track for the main set, capturing the raw energy and unity that James bring to the stage night after night.
The encore opened with Beautiful Beaches. While not a traditional hit, the All The Colours Of You track has firmly earned its place in the encore thanks to the consistently strong reaction it gets from fans. Its bright, driving rhythm contrasts strikingly with its darker lyrics, which tell the story of someone forced to flee their home during the California wildfires. The performance showcased the band’s continued evolution, particularly through the addition of a second drummer, Debbie Knox-Hewson. The way her and Dave lock into each other’s rhythms - trading beats and building momentum - speaks volumes about their individual talents and their remarkable musical chemistry.
Sound began as a slow burn, drawing the crowd into its trance-like rhythm before erupting into waves of powerful crescendos. The castle provided a dramatic backdrop for Andy’s spine-tingling solo, which he often performs away from the stage. Tonight, delivering it from the edge of the barrier, with the illuminated castle rising behind him. Bringing the night to a close was Laid, sparking a joyous, communal moment both onstage and off - with the crowd echoing Tim’s vocals in full voice, and Tim dancing freely with Chloe and Debbie, completely lost in the euphoria.
Cardiff Castle offered the perfect setting for a band still shaping their story - driven not by past successes but by passion, precision, and commanding presence. Against the magical backdrop, the band delivered what may well have been the highlight of their summer tour. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, it was a night to remember.
James' official website can be found here. They are on Facebook and Twitter. Some of the band - Tim, Andy and Dave - are also on Twitter.
We also run the One Of The Three James archive, the most detailed resource for information about the band, and the site also has a Facebook and Twitter page.
TimBoothLyricADay, whose posts often lead to Tim explaining his thought processes behind the lyrics, can be found on Twitter and Facebook
Shed Seven's official site can be found here and they are on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow Even The Stars on Twitter at @eventhestarsuk and like our Facebook page for all the latest updates
No comments:
Post a Comment